Presidential aide proposes to form a national council for peace

May 19, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese presidential aide Abdel Rahman Al-Mahdi proposed to form a national council for peace gathering the leaders of the political parties to discuss national issues .

In statements he delivered Sunday the presidential assistant said he contacted some political leaders to discuss the discuss his initiative, stressing the readiness of the government to engage dialogue with the political parties provided they renounce violence or seek foreign support.

Abdel Rahman who is the son of Sadiq Al-Mahdi, leader of the opposition National Umma Party, refused to describe his participation in the government as superficial; he pointed out he is actively participating in the decision- making process.

Speaking about the recent rebel attacks in the two states of Kordofan, he said that the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) attempted to attack oil production areas and Al-Obeid the capital of North Kordofan but they plans were foiled by the army.

He asserted that the government believes in dialogue and peace as strategy to resolve the current crisis in the country but added that the parties have to distance themselves from violence or seeking the support of foreign countries.

Sudanese government accuses the rebels and some opposition parties of attempting to topple the regime with the support of some countries.

Abdel-Raham said the government is willing to with the SRF “once defeated”, adding that Khartoum is ready to associate all the political forces in the elaboration of a new constitution.

There are reports in Khartoum about talks between the ruling party and the Umma party of Sadiq Al-Mahdi but the opposition party denied his intention to participate in the government.

The Umma party refuses the use of force to bring down the regime but demands the formation of a national government gathering all the opposition parties, a matter the NCP rejects.

(ST)